The following contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 2, "Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore," streaming now on Disney+.
The second chapter of The Mandalorian Season 3 is an incredible episode full of Star Wars lore and exciting action. However, some of the scenes feel designed for a specific group of fans: shippers. It seems The Mandalorian wants people to ship Bo-Katan Kryze and Din Djarin.
Since the introduction of Bo-Katan into live-action, the storytellers have enjoyed using the character. She represents a direct connection to the history of Mandalore that Din isn't aware of, outside the rumors and slander from the Children of the Watch he grew up with. Katee Sackhoff has always played Bo-Katan as something between "flirty" and "wry" where Din Djarin is concerned. Perhaps the writers saw all the fan theories pitting Bo-Katan against Din Djarin for possession of the darksaber, offering up a third option. Yet, given the strict rules of The Way, is intimacy even possible? In the time since Din reunited with Grogu, the covert has expanded its numbers greatly. They "reproduce" through recruiting foundlings, so are intimate relationships even allowed? Bo-Katan just might be Din Djarin's way away from The Way.
Bo-Katan Has Always Seemed Charmed by Din Djarin's Commitment and Abilities
Despite the episode putting the total number of times Bo-Katan has saved Din Djarin's life at three, she respects him. She recruits him to help her steal a fleet of starships from the Empire. She also answers his call for help to rescue Grogu, even though her motivation was to win the darksaber. In Season 3, she has finally given up, content to rule over an empty castle and a single droid. It's only the threat of Din in peril that pulls her back into action. Also, any notions that she'd turn on Din to get the darksaber can be put to rest.
Bo-Katan is not fond of the Children of the Watch, but she is fond of Din and Grogu. She also needs allies, even if she doesn't know it. Her experience with the mythosaur may have just made her a believer. While it would never last, Bo-Katan might even try on The Way for a bit. At least long enough to lead her people back to their ancestral home. Full commitment or uneasy alliance, the politics bringing Din and Bo-Katan together are ripe for an unlikely romance story.
The mythosaur may have changed her feelings about Mandalore's legends, but something else made her dive after Din so immediately. Perhaps she just doesn't want to see him die, but Bo-Katan is neither overly heroic nor sentimental. Star Wars isn't known for great romance, which may be why the shipping side of the fandom is so large. They have to take matters into their own hands with Tumblr fan art or fanfics in between The Mandalorian seasons.
The Mandalorian Also Showed That Grogu Approves of the Pairing
One of the most important scenes in "The Mines of Mandalore" comes near the end. Bo and Din are walking through the ruined city to the mines, and she's telling him their history from her perspective. Considering how understated Star Wars flirting is, Din's conversation with Bo about her father is as explicit as it gets. When he learns her father died protecting Mandalore, he is deeply moved and pays her the highest honor he knows. Right after this moment, Bo-Katan sees Grogu staring and asks, "What are you looking at?" The answer is The Mandalorian's new big ship.
After Bo-Katan rescues Din from capture, she prepares a soup for the winded Mandalorian, with Grogu following her every move. Sure, he's interested in soup, but he's also very impressed with Bo-Katan. The line from The Mandalorian Season 3 trailer about Grogu's "dad" not being "the only Mandalorian" may be meant to suggest that Grogu might want his "mom" to be one, too. Before they were attacked by Alamites, Bo-Katan was even talking to him about the Jedi. He may want to know more about the order from the perspective of a Mandalorian he trusts.
Grogu left his training with Luke not just because he missed Din, but because he knew that the Mandalorian would be alone without him. If it took Din's entire life, Grogu would still be a child when he started training to be a Jedi. Yet, if Din finds a partner in Bo-Katan and maybe a family, Grogu can follow his destiny sooner. Either way, if Grogu is cool with Bo-Katan and Din Djarin being an item, then that means the fans will be, too.
The Mandalorian debuts new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.